Miniature rose plant named &#39;KORpot040&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of rose with long lasting, red flowers, and attractive foliage with above-average disease resistance; the new variety exhibits compact, upright to bushy growth with abundant flowers; and the new variety propagates well from cuttings and by grafting.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/965,484 filed Jan. 31, 2014. This variety was developed without the aid of any research grant.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rosa hybrida

DENOMINATION

‘KORpot040’

BACKGROUND

‘KORpot040’ originated from a controlled crossing in a breeding program of two distinct parents during the summer of 2010 in a controlled environment in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany between an un-named Rosa hybrida seedling as the seed or female parent (unpatented) and another un-named Rosa hybrida seedling as the pollen or male parent (unpatented).

The objective of the cross/hybridization was to create a new and distinct rose plant with unique qualities, such as:

-   -   1. Compact and uniform growth and flowering under greenhouse         conditions when grown as a potted floral plant;     -   2. Abundant, long lasting, and attractive flowers and foliage;     -   3. Resistance to diseases encountered in greenhouse and nursery         culture; and     -   4. Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in floral         and nursery containers.

The resulting seeds from the cross were planted during the following winter in 2010 and were evaluated. The resulting seedlings exhibited distinctive physical and biological characteristics. ‘KORpot040’ was selected in April 2011 as a single plant from the seedling beds in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany due to its superior characteristics. ‘KORpot040’ was first asexually propagated by rooting softwood cuttings in June 2011 at a nursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany and asexually propagated for further evaluation. This new and distinctive rose variety was subsequently named ‘KORpot040’.

The initial and other subsequent asexual propagations were conducted in controlled environments and demonstrate that ‘KORpot040’ reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction via rooting softwood cuttings.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Plant Breeder's Right for ‘KORpot040’ were applied for with the European Community Plant Variety Office on Feb. 6, 2014, File No. 2014/0282. ‘KORpot040’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the priority date of this application.

SUMMARY

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new variety when grown under normal horticultural practices in Jackson County, Oreg.

-   -   1. ‘KORpot040’ has dark red, medium sized flowers, which have         good durability; and     -   2. ‘KORpot040’ has a compact, upright to bushy habit.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new miniature rose plant is illustrated by the accompanying photographs which shows an overall view of the plant and individual parts of the plant. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures.

FIG. 1 shows a whole plant approximately 4 months of age and grown in a glasshouse in a nursery in Offenseth-Sparrieshoop, Germany.

FIG.2 shows a close-up of the individual parts of 4 month old plant observed and growing in a nursery in Jackson County, Oreg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following is a description of ‘KORpot040’, as observed growing in November 2014 in a nursery in Jackson County, Oreg. on plants of 4 months of age. Color references are made using The Royal Horticultural Society (London, England) Colour Chart, 2001 except where common terms of color are used.

-   Classification:     -   -   Family.—Rosaceae.         -   Species.—Rosa hybrida.         -   Common name.—Miniature rose.         -   Variety.—‘KORpot040’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Un-named rose plant (unpatented).         -   Male parent.—Un-named rose plant (unpatented). -   Plant:     -   -   Growth.—Moderately vigorous.         -   Habit.—Compact; upright to bushy.         -   Size.—When grown as a 10.5 cm pot plant, the average plant             height is 15.0 cm to 25.0 cm and the average plant width is             15.0 cm to 20.0 cm.         -   Winter hardiness.—Due to the variety's principal use in             greenhouses, winter hardiness has not been evaluated. -   Stems:     -   -   Color.—Young wood: RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) Older wood: RHS             146B (Yellow-Green) Intonations: RHS 182A (Greyed-Red)             present on youngest wood only.         -   Stem surface texture.—Young and old wood are hispid.         -   Length.—20.0 mm to 23.0 mm average length when grown under             commercial greenhouse floral production.         -   Diameter.—Average is 3.0 mm. -   Prickles:     -   -   Quantity.—Abundant; average of 25 to 30 large prickles with             an additional 60 or more small prickles per each 10 cm of             stem.         -   Shape.—Linear.         -   Size.—Average length of large prickles is 4.0 mm and average             length of small prickles is 1.0 mm to 2 mm.         -   Color.—Immature prickles: RHS 145C (Yellow-Green) with             anthocyanin intonations of RHS 182A (Greyed-Red) Mature             prickles: RHS 145C (Yellow-Green) with anthocyanin             intonations of RHS 182D (Greyed-Red). -   Leaves:     -   -   General.—Normally 5 to7 leaflets on normal leaves in middle             of the stem.         -   Venation pattern.—Pyramidal net pattern.         -   Leaf size.—110.0 mm to 130.0 mm in length and 60.0 mm to             70.0 mm in width.         -   Abundance.—Very abundant. -   Leaflets:     -   -   Size.—Average size of the terminal leaflet is 40.0 mm to             55.0 mm in length and 20.0 mm to 25.0 mm in width.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Margins.—Serrated.         -   Surface appearance.—Upper side: Semi-glossy Under side:             Matte.         -   Texture.—Upper side: Smooth Under side: Leathery.         -   Color, mature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 137A (Green) and             RHS 139A (Green) Lower surface: RHS 147B (Yellow-Green).         -   Color, immature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 141A             (Yellow-Green) Lower surface: RHS 146B (Yellow-Green).         -   Color, most immature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 144A             (Yellow-Green) Lower surface: RHS 146B (Yellow-Green)             Anthocyanin intonation: RHS 178A (Greyed-Red) present on             leaflet margins and lower surfaces of most immature foliage.         -   Arrangement.—Odd pinnate.         -   Venation.—Reticulate.         -   Stipules.—Size: 12.0 mm in length and 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm in             width Color: RHS 146C (Yellow-Green) Anthocyanin: RHS 182C             (Greyed-Red) minimally present on upper surface of midrib             and on stipitate glands Stipitate glands: Abundant on             margins Margins: Glandular toothed Texture: Glabrous Apex:             Apiculate Base: Winged.         -   Petiole.—Length: Average is 18.0 mm to 23.0 mm Diameter:             Average is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm. Color: Upper side: RHS 146B             (Yellow-Green) Underneath: RHS 146C (Yellow-Green) Margins:             Glandular toothed, with limited numbers of stipitate glands             Anthocyanin: RHS 182A (Greyed-Red) on margins and upper             surface of midrib Prickles: None observed Stipitate glands:             Limited numbers of stipitate glands present on margins             Texture: Upper surface is papillate with light pubescence             while underneath is glabrous.         -   Petiole rachis.—Length: Average is 18.0 mm to 23.0 mm             Diameter: Average is 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm Color: Upper surface:             RHS 146B (Yellow-Green) Underneath: RHS 146C (Yellow-Green)             Anthocyanin: RHS 182A (Greyed-Red) present on upper surface             of midrib, margins, stipitate glands, and prickles Margins:             Glandular toothed Prickles: A few small prickles underneath             Stipitate glands: Limited numbers of stipitate glands on             margins and underneath. -   Flower bud:     -   -   Size.—Upon opening, 20.0 mm to 25.0 mm in length from base             of receptacle to distal end of bud and 10.0 mm to 15.0 mm             diameter at its widest point.         -   Form.—Long; pointed ovoid.         -   Color.—As the sepals first unfold, the bud color is RHS 59A             (Red-Purple) and RHS 60A (Red-Purple); when one-quarter             open, the upper surface of the petals is RHS 53A (Red) and             the lower surface is RHS 46A (Red). -   Sepals:     -   -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) with             intonations of RHS 144B (Yellow-Green) on the base Lower             surface: RHS 144A (Yellow-Green).         -   Size.—Average is 20.0 mm to 27.0 mm for the length and 5.0             mm to 7.0 mm for the width.         -   Shape.—Strong foliaceous appendages on 3 of the five sepals.         -   Apex.—Apiculate.         -   Base.—Flat at union with receptacle.         -   Quantity.—Five.         -   Surface texture.—Upper side: Hoary Lower surface: Hispid.         -   Margins.—Cilliate and glandular toothed margins observed.         -   Stipitate glands.—Abundant numbers of stipitate glands on             lower surface and some margins. -   Flower:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent; floriferous.         -   General.—Multiple flower buds per inflorescence, generally 1             to 3; occasionally, 1 flowering lateral present below             initiation of the inflorescence, typically 1 flower per             lateral; flowers held upright.         -   Fragrance.—Absent.         -   Duration.—On the plant 15 to 20 days; senesced petals drop             away cleanly.         -   Size.—Medium for a miniature rose; when open, the average             flower diameter is 40.0 mm to 45.0 mm and the average flower             height is 25.0 mm.         -   Overall shape.—Round.         -   Shape of flower when viewed from the side.—Upon opening,             upper part and lower part: Flattened convex Open flower,             upper part and lower part: Flattened convex.         -   Color.—Upon opening, petals: Outermost petals: Outer side             and inner side: RHS 46A (Red) Innermost petals: Outer side:             RHS 46A (Red) and RHS 53A (Red), with intonations of RHS             155C (White) occasionally present on midrib Inner side: RHS             46A (Red) and RHS 53A (Red) Upon opening, basal petal spots:             Basal petal spot, outermost petals: Outer side: RHS 155C             (White) Inner side: RHS 155C (White) Size: Average is 2.0 mm             to 4.0 mm in height and 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm in width Basal             petal spot, innermost petals: Outer side and inner side: RHS             155C (White) Size: Average is 2.0 mm to 5.0 mm in height and             2.0 mm to 3.0 mm in width. After opening, petals: Outermost             petals: Outer side: RHS 60A (Red-Purple) Inner side: RHS 46A             (Red) Innermost petals: Outer side: RHS 60A (Red-Purple),             with intonations of RHS 155C (White) occasionally present on             midrib Inner side: RHS 46A (Red) After opening, basal petal             spots: Basal petal spot, outermost petals: Outer side and             inner side: RHS 155C (White) Size: Average is 2.0 mm to 5.0             mm in height and 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm in width Basal petal spot,             innermost petals: Outer side: RHS 155C (White) Inner side:             RHS 155C (White) Size: Average is 3.0 mm to 5.0 mm in height             and 2.0 mm to 3.0 mm in width.         -   General tonality.—On open flowers, RHS 46A (Red); no change             in the general tonality at the end of the eighth day;             afterwards, general tonality is RHS 46C (Red).         -   Petals.—Petal count: Very double; approximately 75 petals             under normal conditions Petal reflex: Outermost petals             reflex very slightly; reflex occurs one by one Shape:             Outermost petals are obovate and innermost petals are             elliptic Apex: Outermost petals obtuse and innermost petals             are acute Base: Outermost and innermost petals are cuneate             Margin: Entire Petal size: 10.0 mm to 24.0 mm in length and             6.0 mm to 26.0 mm in width Petal arrangement: Formal             Texture: Upper and lower surfaces are leathery.         -   Pedicel.—Surface: Abundant stipitate glands and small             prickles Length: 45.0 mm to 65.0 mm average Diameter: 2.0 mm             to 4.0 mm average Color: RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) Strength:             Strong Texture: Hispid.         -   Peduncle.—Surface: Abundant stipitate glands and small             prickles Length: 25.0 mm to 65.0 mm average Diameter: 2.0 mm             to 3.0 mm average Color: RHS 144A (Yellow-Green) Strength:             Strong. -   Petaloids:     -   -   Petaloid count.—Average of 20 per flower.         -   Size.—7.0 mm to 10.0 mm in length and 3.0 mm to 6.0 mm in             width.         -   Color.—Inner side: RHS 53A (Red) on marginal and middle             zones, RHS 155A (White) on basal zone and intonations on             midrib Outer side: RHS 53A (Red) on marginal and middle             zones, RHS 155A (White) on basal zone and intonations on             midrib.         -   Texture.—Inner side and outer side are smooth.         -   Margins.—Entire and undulated petaloid margins observed.         -   Shape.—Most commonly obovate with some petaloids highly             irregular.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Attenuate. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Pistils.—Quantity: Average is approximately 60 present             Stigmas: Location: Slightly superior to equal in position to             anthers Color: RHS 158C (Yellow-White) Diameter: 0.5 mm to             1.0 mm Styles: Length: About 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm Color: RHS             158A (Yellow-White), with intonations of RHS 52C (Red).         -   Stamens.—Quantity: Approximately 60 on average and regularly             arranged Anthers: Size: Average is 3.0 mm in length and 1.5             mm in width Pollen: Generally present Color: RHS 163B             (Greyed-Orange) Filaments: Color: RHS 5A (Yellow) Length:             3.0 mm to 5.0 mm.         -   Receptacle.—Surface: Abundant stipitate glands and small             prickles Color: RHS 144B (Yellow-Green) Shape: Urn-shaped             Texture: Hispid Size: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm in height and 6.0 mm             to 8.0 mm in width. -   Hips and seed formation: None observed -   Disease resistance: Above average resistance to Powdery mildew     (Sphaerotheca pannosa) and Botrytis (Botrytis cinerea) diseases     under normal growing conditions in Jackson County, Oreg.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTAL LINES

The new rose plant may be distinguished from the female or seed parent, an un-named seedling, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘KORpot040’ has more flowers with longer durability than the         female parent.     -   2. ‘KORpot040’ has less vigorous, more compact growth than the         female parent.

The new rose plant may be distinguished from the male or pollen parent, an un-named seedling, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   1. ‘KORpot040’ has dark red flowers, whereas the male parent has         hot-pink colored flowers.     -   2. ‘KORpot040’ has medium-sized flowers for a miniature rose,         whereas the male parent has large flowers.

When ‘KORpot040’ is compared to the commercial comparison rose variety ‘KORhedani’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 19,598), the following differences are noted in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Characteristic ‘KORpot040’ ‘KORhedani’ Petal count Approximately 75 petals Approximately 30 to under normal conditions. 32 petals under normal conditions Average number of 25 to 30 large prickles, and Less than 1 prickles per 10.0 cm of upwards of 60 small stem prickles. Average open flower 40.0 mm to 45.0 mm 55 mm diameter 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant designated ‘KORpot040’ as illustrated and described herein. 